Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal retirement date ‘revealed’ as fans may not get chance to see him in UK again

CRISTIANO RONALDO’s retirement date from football has reportedly been revealed. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made his name in the UK during an six-year spell with Manchester United. Cristiano Ronaldo is approaching the end of his playing career Credit: Getty He may only play one more time for Portugal Credit: Getty Ronaldo, 41, left United in 2009 for Real Madrid in what was a then-record transfer fee worth £80million. He has since gone on to play for Juventus and Al-Nassr either side of his brief return to Old Trafford. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! The forward featured in his SIXTH World Cup finals tournament but failed to win the elusive trophy. He is Portugal‘s record goalscorer with 146 goals in 233 appearances – three of which came in the World Cup just gone. Ronaldo is set to continue his playing career but reports have claimed that he will call time on his international duties. Speculation after Portugal’s exit to eventual winners Spain suggested that he could try to soldier on to the Euros in 2028 or even a home World Cup in 2030. But it seems that will not be the case, with his last dance on the international stage coming a lot sooner. According to journalist Mohammed Awaad, Ronaldo will play one more time for his country. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Ronaldo has played against Wales once before in his career Credit: Getty Images – Getty That outing will come in their next fixture against Wales in the Nations League on September 24. The match will suitably be played at the home of Ronaldo in the Jose Alvalade – the stadium of his boyhood club Sporting Lisbon. If this is the case, then it means Ronaldo is very unlikely to play in front of UK crowds again in his career. He currently plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, who do not come up against British teams in regular tournaments. Ronaldo’s last game for Portugal would be at the Jose Alvalade Credit: Getty Ronaldo made his debut for Portugal in 2003 Credit: AFP The only chance for Ronaldo to play in a British stadium again would most likely be in a pre-season friendly. Ronaldo has played against the Welsh once before in his career with the fixture coming in Euro 2016. He scored a header and assisted team-mate Nani for the 2-0 victory at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France. The star made his Portugal bow in 2003 during a 1-0 win over Kazakhstan as he replaced Luis Figo off the bench. Ronaldo won the Euros with Portugal in 2016 Credit: Getty He failed to win a single World Cup in six attempts Credit: Getty His record of 233 caps makes him the record holder for men’s international appearances – Lionel Messi is second with 207 for Argentina. USA Women’s legend Kristine Lilly however boasts 354 international caps between August 1987 and November 2010. Ronaldo has helped Portugal fill their trophy cabinet despite the lack of success in the World Cup. The nation won the Euros in 2018, beating France 1-0 in the final and then the Nations League in 2019 and then in 2025. Comment now